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Below are Methotrexate reviews, ratings, comments submitted by patients and caregivers. Based on a total of 18 ratings/reviews, Methotrexate has an overall score of 7.22. The effectiveness score is 8.56 and the side effect score is 6.78. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. This information is not vetted and should not be cosidered as clinical evidence.

Methotrexate review by 64 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Considerably Effective

Side effects:

No Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dosage & duration:

20 mg. taken 1 x week for the period of 2 years to present

Other conditions:

none

Other drugs taken:

Remicade

Reported Results

Benefits:

The combination of weekly 20mg. Methotrexate with an infusion (at the doctor's office) of Remicade has almost completely controlled my rheumatoid arthritis.
I have had no further joint damage, and the initial symptoms of extreme fatigue and pain in the small joints of my hands, wrists, feet and ankles has abated.

Side effects:

None that I am aware of

Comments:

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis about two years ago and began treatment with a combination of Remicade (infused once every eight weeks over a period of about 2 hours in my doctor's office) and Methotrexate 20 mg. once a week. I take 8 tablets every Friday, 2.r mg. each. I have had no negative side effects from either medication.

Methotrexate review by 58 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Considerably Effective

Side effects:

Severe Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

psoraitic arthritis

Dosage & duration:

6 tabs taken daily for the period of 4 years

Other conditions:

psoriasis

Other drugs taken:

none

Reported Results

Benefits:

the treatment masked the psoriasis and what was considered arthritis

Side effects:

increasing all over body pain

Comments:

I started with 4 tabs and increased to 6 as the all over body pain increased and then they were going to put me on prednisone. I opted to turn to homeopathic treatment and weaned off the methotrexate. The all over body pain went completely away but the psoriasis was exacerbated. I'd rather have that than not be able to walk or move.

Methotrexate review by care giver of 12 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Considerably Effective

Side effects:

Mild Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Dosage & duration:

15 mg taken once a week for the period of 1 year

Other conditions:

none

Other drugs taken:

prednisone, naprosyn

Reported Results

Benefits:

Methotrexate significantly reduced my daughter's arthritis symptoms, allowing her to resume a normal, active life without joint pain. After being treated with this drug, she has remained symptom free for several years now. She did not have to progress to more expensive arthritis drugs since she responded well to methotrexate.

Side effects:

Thinning hair, weight gain. We don't know if these were due to the methotrexate or other drugs she was on.

Comments:

She took the dosage once a week for about a year, and eventually was weaned off of all her arthritis related drugs.

Methotrexate review by 54 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Highly Effective

Side effects:

No Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dosage & duration:

25mg taken weekly for the period of Ongoing

Other conditions:

Hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolemia

Other drugs taken:

Synthroid, Ezetrol, Folic Acid

Reported Results

Benefits:

Control of joint inflammation

Side effects:

None.

Comments:

The methotrexate is administered by subcutaneous injection (self-administered) 25mgs once per week. I have been taking methotexate for approximately 5 years. Foe the first 4 years I took the same dose orally, but it eventually beacme less effective so I switched to subcutaneous injection. It has been extremely effective at controlling the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and I feel 95% normal.

Treatment benefits from taking methotrexate included significantly reduced inflammation in the joints which led to reduced pain. Overall fatigue was also minimized.

Side effects:

The day after the injection I was extremely worn out. Almost like having the flu. I took the shot on Friday nights, went to bed around 11pm, and then wasn't able to get up before noon the next day, simply due to severe fatigue. After Saturday, I typically felt pretty good, though.

Comments:

Once weekly injections with methotrexate. Also took prescription-strength folic acid to minimize any side effects.

Methotrexate review by care giver of 17 year old male patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Highly Effective

Side effects:

Moderate Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

psoriasis

Dosage & duration:

15mg per week taken 1 x per week for the period of continuing for past 22 mos.

Other conditions:

Down syndrome, hypothyroidism

Other drugs taken:

tegratol, synthroid, topical steroid

Reported Results

Benefits:

Relieved the plaque psoriasis which was over 90% of skin and extremely uncomfortable.

Side effects:

Vomiting and nausea on days the drug was ingested, rebound effect(return of plaque) when attempting to decrease the medication; liver blood levels need monitoring while on the drug.

Comments:

Patient had onset of psoriasis and was treated with topical steroids. Psoriasis quickly spread over entire body and methotrexate was recommended. It worked quickly to eliminate the plaque on the trunk of body, but patient has been unable to wean from the drug because psoriasis has never completely gon away on arms and legs. We are now looking at Enbrol.

Methotrexate review by 38 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Highly Effective

Side effects:

Mild Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

rhumitoid arthritis

Dosage & duration:

12 pills per dose (not sure of dosage) taken once a week for the period of still taking, now about 7 years

Other conditions:

minor sores like blemishes, heal more slowly, feel tired after taking

Other drugs taken:

meloxicam

Reported Results

Benefits:

Less pain, less inflamation, slows down degeneration of disease. can function normally where before had severe pain in joints, especially in feet, knees, and made it extremely hard to walk, wear shoes, bend at knees.

Side effects:

minor sores like blemishes heal more slowly. After taking, i'm tired in the morning

Comments:

originally 10 now 12 pills once a week

Methotrexate review by 43 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Moderately Effective

Side effects:

Mild Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

crohns

Dosage & duration:

1 mg weekly taken weekly for the period of 2 yrs

Other conditions:

none

Other drugs taken:

none

Reported Results

Benefits:

it subsided inflammation in the intestines. therefore resulting in
less pain and discomfort. hopefully less diarrhea.

Side effects:

liver damage. everyone I spoke to said this is a very dirty drug. this is a cancer type of treatment, (chemo) it is old and very hard on the liver. can result in very serious liver damage very quickly.

Comments:

weekly 1 mg needle

Methotrexate review by 44 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Highly Effective

Side effects:

Mild Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dosage & duration:

15 mg taken once per week for the period of three years (continuing)

Other conditions:

none

Other drugs taken:

folic acid and a calcium/vitamin D supplement

Reported Results

Benefits:

My severe pain and joint swelling diminished soon, and I have had few painful moments (and nothing like the pain I had before my diagnosis).

Side effects:

mild hair loss

Comments:

After starting RA treatment with plaquenil and feeling few changes, my doctor encouraged me to try methotrexate. My severe pain and joint swelling diminished soon, and I have had few painful moments (and nothing like the pain I had before my diagnosis). I have stopped taking plaquenil. The only side effect I have noticed is thinning hair. I miss having a glass of wine once in a while, but the lack of pain makes that sacrifice worthwhile. I take folic acid each day.

Methotrexate review by 47 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Highly Effective

Side effects:

No Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dosage & duration:

4 ml (dosage frequency: once per week) for the period of one year

Other conditions:

Baker's Cyst on the Left Knee

Other drugs taken:

none

Reported Results

Benefits:

A reduction of inflamation in the joints on the hands, feet and elbow. The nature of taking one does per week was also very beneficial did not have to remember to take daily.

Side effects:

I had no side effects from taking the medication. I did have regular blood work up to determine liver damage.

Comments:

I took 4 tables once per week and daily doses of folic acid.

Methotrexate review by 47 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Moderately Effective

Side effects:

Moderate Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

rheumatoid arthritis

Dosage & duration:

15mg taken once a week for the period of 6years

Other conditions:

High blood pressure

Other drugs taken:

bendroflumetazide

Reported Results

Benefits:

To reduce high blood pressure. To reduce pain and inflammation of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Side effects:

Feeling Tired, lethargic. Dry skin , dry mouth, dry eyss. Nausea. When I actually take the methotrxate I feel as if I have a temperature and cannot do much for the first day. 48 hours hours after taking methotrexate I take a 5mg dose of Folic acid to reduce the most harmful side effects of taking methotrexate.

Comments:

I take one 15mg dose of methotrexate once a week along with sulphasalazine and naproxen to reduce activity of my very active rheumatoid arthritis. The pain and inflammation is still there but has reduced slightly. I also take Bendroflumethazide to reduce high blood pressure taken on a daily basis. I have researched on the internet and found I need to increase my daily intake of water/fluids. This has never been mentioned in the contraindications or by my GP. I understand the reason for increasing fluid intake is because the medication I take is cytoxic and I need to keep my kidneys and liver flushed as much as possible, which is why patients who take methotrexate and sulphasalazine have monthly blood tests.

Methotrexate review by 53 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Considerably Effective

Side effects:

Extremely Severe Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

psoriatic arthritis

Dosage & duration:

7 cc (dosage frequency: once a week) for the period of 2 years

Other conditions:

fibromyalgia

Other drugs taken:

flexaril, ultracet

Reported Results

Benefits:

easing of arthritis symptoms, helped alleviate "flu-like feeling".

Side effects:

SEVERE mouth ulcers all over the inside of my mouth and down my throat. Unable to eat or even drink for about one month. Became extremely dehydrated and went into acute renal failure.

Comments:

Gave myself a shot once a week. I think they quit making the injectible Methotrexate, which is a shame. It works SO MUCH BETTER than the pills.

Methotrexate review by 61 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Moderately Effective

Side effects:

Moderate Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

RA

Dosage & duration:

7 tablets per week (17.5 mg per wk) taken once a week for the period of 15 months

Other conditions:

hypertension

Other drugs taken:

Altace, Plaquenil, sulfasalazine

Reported Results

Benefits:

Less pain in joints, better mobility. Better able to perform tasks of daily living. Less stiffness.

Side effects:

Weight gain
Tired on the day I took methotrexate
Some nausea

Comments:

I am not especially pleased with the weight gain but I have to take something to control the RA. I guess methotrexate works fairly well.

Methotrexate review by 41 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Moderately Effective

Side effects:

Mild Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dosage & duration:

10cc (dosage frequency: once a week) for the period of 5 years

Other conditions:

None

Other drugs taken:

Folic acid in high doses for methotrexate counter effect

Reported Results

Benefits:

Methotrexate kept the RA from progressing rapidly. Pain, swelling and stiffness were noticeably less when taking medication. It did not stop RA progress completely. In addition, arthritis nodules did develop.

Side effects:

Had to get monthly blood tests to check liver and kidney function. Once, after about 3-4 years of usage I had an abnormal blood test and was told to stop taking methotrexate for a month, then re-take blood test. Upon normal test, went back to taking methotrexate as usual. Did not notice any effects during time of abnormal blood test.

Comments:

Injected myself in the thigh once a week.

Methotrexate review by 39 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Considerably Effective

Side effects:

Moderate Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

Rhematory Arthritis

Dosage & duration:

1 cc (dosage frequency: weekly injection) for the period of 2 years

Other conditions:

Uticaria

Other drugs taken:

None

Reported Results

Benefits:

This drug definitely helped control flares and joint stiffness. It also helped defeat the incredible amount of hives. Hives were completely controlled.

Side effects:

Unfortunately, there were many side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, occasional vomiting, extreme fatigue, foggy mind. Bruising at the injection site was also very common.

Comments:

One injection every week.

Methotrexate review by 50 year old male patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Highly Effective

Side effects:

Severe Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

RA

Dosage & duration:

7. 5 mg taken weekly for the period of 17 years

Other conditions:

sever swelling on knee joints next day of taking Methotrexate

Other drugs taken:

ENBREL and Hydroxycloroqueen

Reported Results

Benefits:

The medicine MTX was effective for fifteen years. Weekly dose of Enbrel is quiet effective. AS sson as I tke MTX 2 days after the Enbrel injection I am having severe swelling on my knee joints. Others onts remains normal.

Side effects:

The medicine MTX was effective for fifteen years. Weekly dose of Enbrel is quiet effective. AS sson as I tke MTX 2 days after the Enbrel injection I am having severe swelling on my knee joints. Others onts remains normal. May be cronic kidney failure

Comments:

I Got synovectomy done of my left knee joint plannig for right knee jointalso

Methotrexate review by 64 year old female patient

Rating

Overall rating:

Effectiveness:

Highly Effective

Side effects:

Moderate Side Effects

Treatment Info

Condition / reason:

Uveitis, Inflmmatory arhtiritis in hands

Dosage & duration:

began w/ 7.5mg and titrated up taken 1 x weekly for the period of 6months